Is this a Crèche?

[SuperKingDuvet]

AIBU to be fed up at colleagues bringing their DC to the office after school to avoid paying for after school activities or a childminder?

We have two that do this both in the same department. One a manager, the other his PA.
The PA's child is Yr6, manager's is Yr7.

It's not every day, but was becoming more frequent until somebody (not management) said something and they took the hint.

My reasons for objecting are that the workplace is an adult space and I don't want to watch what I say or police my speech because tender ears are present. Ie, if we need to vent because work is stressful, then we want to be able to without worrying the DC might hear an occasional swear word!

[Dollymixtureyumyum]

The odd time in an emergency I would not bother but a member of staff on a different project used to do this a lot at my last job with her two.
The little darlings used to run around and though it was funny to take things of your desk. The last straw can when one of them
decided to imitate one of our volunteers. The volunteer in question had cerebral palsy and walked with a limp and talked slowly. My manager reported it and she was told to keep her kids away.
Her response- they are only doing what all
kids would do

[Fieryfighter]

I think you're being a bit unreasonable, year 6 and 7 are not toddlers running around noisily and and I daresay they've probably heard the odd swear word at their age. It's really not uncommon for this to happen in workplaces on occasion. It may not be avoiding passing childcare, it might be logistically tricky or nothing suitable available.

Is there a room they could use maybe?

[Fieryfighter]

Paying for childcare not passing. Bloody autocorrect!

[SuperKingDuvet]

It just irks me that everyone else makes an arrangement for their DC, but these two think it's OK to bring theirs to work!

[DonkeyOaty]

Insurance might have an issue with minors on site.

Anyway yanbu. Would make me cross too.

[AlwaysHopeful1]

Yanbu, it doesn't matter if they sit silently and don't bother anyone, they just should not be there.

[ZiggyFartdust]

Why would kids that age be in a creche?

And if your main problem is that it means you can't swear at work, then of course YABU.

And if they have stopped anyway, what's your beef?

[LurkingHusband]

As an IT person, I'm idly speculating about any information security issues ...

(Notice "information" - not just IT)

Certainly wouldn't be allowed where I work - that's what reception is for.

[jelliebelly]

If they are sitting quietly doing homework etc then YABU, if they are getting in the way of work being done then YANBU. The swearing thing is irrelevant you behave as normal if the parents don't want their kids to hear swearing then they won't bring them in - problem solved!

As an aside we have to complete s whole health and safety risk assessment every time a child visits the premises / if they have an accident in the office the insurance may be invalid - there are all kinds of rules about children in the workplace.

[EagleRay]

This thread has reminded me of something I'd long forgotten - as a preschooler I used to sometimes get taken to work by my dad. Problem was, it wasn't even an office but a coastal research facility and the day would sometimes involve being out at sea in a boat...

Hmm I might need to ask my mother why this happened

[SuperKingDuvet]

Never thought about the insurance issue.

[Jw35]

Your only issue is having to watch what you say? Maybe you need to start thinking about how you manage stress!

This wouldn't bother me in the slightest

[ZiggyFartdust]

Someone always says insurance. Which is always nonsense.

[DonkeyOaty]

Why is it nonsense? Genuine q.

[cornishglos]

I used to go to my dad's work too. Wouldn't bother me now of they aren't causing trouble. Seems sensible.

[LurkingHusband]

Someone always says insurance. Which is always nonsense.

Only if you don't work in insurance.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

^^Agrees with LurkingHusband. Who if I remember correctly will have a similar view on the "insurance" issue to me!

[Keeptrudging]

I used to take DD to work every day (school) but she was under strict instructions to stay in my classroom. (No way could i have taken my DS in - he'd have been rampaging !) This was so other staff weren't caught bitching about the HT/moaning! Staff need to feel free to say what they want, a normal workplace isn't the right place for children.

[gandalf456]

I wouldn't have a problem with that age but not age five or six

[LurkingHusband]

On a serious note, re:insurance. Commercial premises insurance will be quoted and issued on the basis of the nature of the business. Obviously, a shop, where members of the public come and go will be considered a much more risky environment, than an office to which only employees and designated visitors are permitted access to. The insured (company) would be giving certain undertakings to the insurer as to how they secure their business - including how they permit non-employees access.

At the very least, all visitors should have to sign in, and be issued a visitor pass (the corollary of this is all staff should be trained to challenge/report anyone not displaying an ID/visitor badge). This is necessary should the building need evacuating.

If a company is disregarding it's own rules, then it may find itself not-insured. Which in the event of a nasty personal injury claim, could be very costly.

If the children are being signed in as visitors, it may cover an occasional visit. But if it's happening on a regular basis ... bearing in mind "visitors" become the responsibility of the person signing them in. So as an aside, is this being taken into account for the employees involved ? They are actively supervising their kids ?

Then onto my particular interest - information security. Once inside the perimeter, what documents/systems are exposed ? What can be seen on screens. Are there - God Forbid - client personal details on view ?

(The OP mentioned "departments" so I pictured a fairly regular office setup, not a Mom & Pop shop.)

All I can say is I know my employer (5,000 staff) would not allow employees children past reception as a matter of course.

[jay55]

I'd be annoyed. I'd be worried about them overhearing calls with clients or looking at someone's work over their shoulder.

It's the workplace and the parents should be totally focused on work not have one eye on their kids.

[TantrumsAndBalloons]

My DS (12) pops into to see me after school a couple of times a week as his school is literally 3 minutes from my office.
Sometimes he stays until I finish work, he sits down and gets his homework out of the way. I don't think it's an issue, no one has ever complained.
Mind you, my older 2 (16 and 17) work for us part time so maybe they are looking ahead and sizing him up as a potential employee :)

[SuperKingDuvet]

Hmm, if I wanted to share my work place with children, I'd y'know, be a teacher!

[ChemicalReaction]

Mine come into work on occasion. Generally tbf it is only for fifteen twenty minutes as dh train running late and I have time constraints on my work that mean I need to be there at a certain point. They ether sit in the locker room or reception area with an iPad. On occasion one of the staff members has sat with them, but because they chose to sit and chat, not because I asked. They are all under ten but sworn to silence and do sit quietly. Even my SEN child!

[Johnny5isAlive]

YANBU. I wouldn't be happy with children coming Into my office. I've never seen it and I don't think reception would allow them to be signed in. I have taken them in at the weekend (using the car park etc) and security have challenged me and asked them to leave.
But regardless of whether security would allow it, it wouldn't go down well at all. You surely wouldn't work as hard with one eye on your kids